tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakening when blundered and unseated rider next
held up, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, struggling in rear before next
led until 1st, tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, every chance last, ridden and lost 2nd run-in, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leaders, chance 2 out, weakened after last
always behind, never involved
held up in last pair, steady headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd last, driven into 2nd run-in, strong challenge close home, just held
took keen hold, held up, tailed off in last pair approaching 3 out, never a factor
led 1st, made rest, awkward 2 out, strongly pressed last, found extra under pressure run-in, held on gamely, all out
chased winner, hit 4 out, weakened quickly next
Ma Filleule is a very classy chaser but she was readily outpaced back over hurdles at Wetherby and this may not be far enough either. Nicky Henderson also runs Laurium, with Freddie Mitchell taking off a useful 5lb, but he's also been racing over further. Royal Guardsman has been absent since pulling up in the Swinton Hurdle at Haydock in May but did won over 2m on soft going in February. Dubawi Island only had to be pushed out to defy a big weight at Ludlow earlier this month. He steps up a grade for this off a 7lb higher mark but can't be ruled out, though IBIS DU RHEU (NAP) may be the pick of the weights. Highly tried in two runs last season, he's had a few more months to acclimatise and may now be ready to start repaying his considerable purchase fee. Heath Hunter looks too high in the weights at present.
Laurium 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 4th, not fluent 7th, challenged last, soon led, headed and outpaced by winner final 150 yards, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Penglai Pavilion (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (2) gd in Oct.
Dubawi Island (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Held up in last when in view after 2nd, tracking leaders after 4 out, in lead when back in view last, clear flat, stayed on (no time taken due to very poor visibility), won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Here's Herbie (10-13) by 3l, 8 ran.
Ma Filleule (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Prominent, ridden before 3 out, lost place when not fluent next, 6th of 8, 12 1/4l behind Blue Buttons (10-12) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) sft in Oct.
Heath Hunter (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Not fluent 1st, tracked leader until 3rd, jumped slowly 6th and when getting outpaced 7th, went left and no impression from next, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 4, 37 1/2l behind On Tour (11-1) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Auenwirbel (GER) (11-11) won at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Oct beating Live Your Life (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Ibis Du Rheu (FR) 7-2fav (10-5) Held up in rear, closer order after 4th, driven and no impression before 2 out, disputing well held 3rd when mistake last, no extra run-in, 4th of 6, 11 1/2l behind Fox Norton (11-7) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Sir Ivan 13-2 (11-10) Held up in touch on outside, took keen hold, headway 7th, led and jumped right from 3 out, mistake last, soon headed, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Billy No Name (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Royal Guardsman (IRE) 22-1 (10-2) Prominent until 1st, mid-division, ridden and struggling after 4th, hanging left next, pulled up before 2 out, at Haydock 2m hcp (1) gs in May.
Fitzwilly 11-2 (11-6) Prominent, under pressure when hit 4 out, soon lost place, 6th of 8, 24 1/4l behind Rock Of Leon (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
